Motor-driven quick-action electric switch



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'rnrrz savanna, or BASEL, SWITZERLAND' mo'roa-nmvnn oulcx acrron ELECTRIC swrron.

Specification of Letters-Patent. Patented 17 1921,

Application filed December 10, 1919.- Serial No. 343,897.

To all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, FRrrz SAUTEn, acitizen of the Swiss Republic, and resldent of Basel, Switzerland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Motor-Driven Quick-Action Electric Switches, of which I the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The invention relates to motor driven electric switches with quick-action rotary movement in which an electric motor is arranged to drive by means of its shaft a gearing designed to periodically release a snap-action device connected to the rotary switch shaft.

In such switches there is possibility of the switch contacts becoming seized or jammed so that the released snap-action device failsv to operate and quick-action switching ceases.

In order to cause positive actuation of the switch in such cases the present invention proposes to introduce a normally inoperative follower coupling between the driving gear and the switch shaft,vthis coupling coming into operation in the event of failure of the snap-action device in such a manner as to cause a positively actuated rotating connection of the driving gear to the switc shaft.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a constructional form of the improved motor mechanism. Figure 1 is a front view,-partly a vertical section thereof; Fig. 2is a transverse section on line Arr-B of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing a small electric motor I) is arranged to drive by means of its shaft a a self-stop worm drive 0, d whereby motion is transmitted to a train of gearing g which is arranged to periodically re- 'ease a snap-action device connected to the this checkarm projecting through an opening 0 in the side of the spring barrel and normally abutting against one or other of a I number of stops p barrelf(see Fig. 1).

During the gradual rotation of the eccentric m due to-its being driven by the gear wheel 9 the check-arm n is gradually moved mounted on the spring inward and is finally freed from the stop 12 with which it engages, whereupon the spring 7' which has been wound up during this movement gives up its energy to the spring barrel z which is now released and thereby actuates the switch shaft h by a quick impulsive motion. The rotary movement thus brought about extends over an angle of approximately 90 and since the check-arm n is itself rotated'on the eccentric m the checkarm again comes into a position in which it is arrested by the next stop p.

Mounted on a ring 9 carried by the driving gear wheel 9 is a pinor rod 3 which is normally permitted free movement in a sufiiciently long slot t in the spring barrel 2.

This device is out of action so long as the switch is properly operative and serves merely as a safet device. If the release of the spring barre 5 fails for any reason, so

that the contact carrier at and its contacts remain stationary, the quick-action switching being interrupted, the operation of the switch by means of the gear wheel 9 is continued by reason of the pin 8 moving to the far end of its slot i with which it engages and carrying along with it the spring barrel 6. This in turn causes positive rotary ,oper ation of the switch shaft 71. so that the latter then continues to be actuated in a positive manner. I g

It will be understood that the worm and wheel drive of the mechanism may be replaced by a gear wheel or friction drive mechanism or in general by any other form of transmission.

What I claim is:

In a motor driven electric switch, the combination of an electric motor, a drive caring connected thereto, a rotary switch s aft,

a spring barrel connected withthe latter, a

radially movable check-arm, a rotary eccentrio for the operation thereof, said barrel being provided with a side opening for said check-arm, a stop for the latter, and a coupling pin carried by said driving gearing,

said barrel being provided with a longslot In witness whereof I have hereunto signed and said coupling pin being arranged within my name this 13th day of November, 1919,

this slot so as to be inoperative during norin the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 10

mal working and to only become operative FRITZ SAUTER. 5 if the spring barrel should be unable to rolVitnesses:

tate the switch shaft, substantially as de- WILLIAM E. HOLLAND,

scribed, I AMAND BRANN. 

